Tributes have been pouring in for pop singer Michael Jackson, who died in Los Angeles yesterday following a suspected heart attack.

The Rev Al Sharpton, a civil rights leader and friend of Jackson's, paid a glowing tribute to the 50-year-old outside the UCLA Medical Centre where he was pronounced dead yesterday afternoon.

He described him as a trailblazer and an historic figure.

Another friend, Uri Geller, described the singer as a genius.

Elsewhere, tributes have also been paid by Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and former child actor Corey Feldman.

Feldman, a close friend of the King of Pop, said: "Nobody will ever be able to do what Michael Jackson has done in this industry."

Hundreds of shocked fans have already begun to gather at the UCLA Medical Centre to pay their own tributes to the singer.